How to ask for help........

[Kurto]

After reading through a few exotic reptile forums (filling my "I wish I could have them here" desires), I found a template that could help out members and requests for help with their husbandry....... This would really make it easier to get a whole overview of a problem and give advice that suits....

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.


Reptile Info:

• Your Reptile - The species, sex, and age of your reptile. How long has it been in your care?
• Handling - How often do you handle your reptile?
• Feeding - What are you feeding your reptile? What amount? What is the schedule?s?
• History - Any previous information about your reptile that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
• Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
• Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
• Location - Where are you geographically located?

 

[shellfisch]

Good idea!
Would save so much time to have all the info straight up. Unfortunately a lot of the people looking for advice and help are young and may not use it.

 

[reptileKev81]

Maybe this thread should be stickied so you cant miss it.

 

[Rickdejong]

sticky it, and see if it works

 

[Snakelove]

You'd still need pictures most of the time to show the "problem"

 

[dtulip10]

yeah good idea but agree with snake love a picture tells a thousand words

 

[Khagan]

Maybe this thread should be stickied so you cant miss it.

Oh you would be surprised at the amount of people who never read stickies on any forum..

 

[Kurto]

Yeah pics are definitely a good idea aswell But not everyone has a camera or knows how to use it! LOL!

 

[deebo]

the one time I had to take a snake to the vet I was surprised at how thoroughly she grilled me for info on cage setup, temps, feeding regime, how often it defecates, handling, what other snakes i had etc etc.....

Luckily i keep pretty accurate records and have a fairly standard feeding/cleaning schedule but ir really drove it home at how much info is needed to often diagnose a problem and I dont think until you have a problem you really understand this....

Good idea i think....

Dave

 

[bigi]

if a thread is started with the words help or sick, the system should automatically prompt answers to these. Time and time again someone asks for help, and the same questions are raised prior to any real advice is given. Definately worth looking into a template that can be used to start a reptile health thread

 

[CodeRed]

great idea, should be a sticky

 

[Pythoninfinite]

Very good idea Kurto - evem if only some of the questions were amswered, it could give clues to the nature of the problem. In my experience, most health problems with herps are (or start off as) husbandry related, so some background info is essential in most cases.

Even if an enquirer ignores the sticky or is unaware of it initially, he/she could be directed to it at the first opportunity which would avoid endless one-off questions about each of those important criteria.

Jamie.

 

[Kurto]

Even if an enquirer ignores the sticky or is unaware of it initially, he/she could be directed to it at the first opportunity which would avoid endless one-off questions about each of those important criteria.

Jamie.

Tha'ts spot on Jamie. I love using APS and I check in here on a daily basis. But almost every day we see same old 'help me please threads' that are followed by a barrage of 'endless one-questions' as you put it. I am far from an expert and I like to help people where I can, but it can be like banging one's head against a wall trying to get some of the basic information out of people.

 

[Kurto]

thought I'd bump this.......

 

[bkevo]

mate think its a good idea. cant hurt